2023 Toyota Sequoia vs 2023 Volvo XC60

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was a striking presence on the road, blending the bold aesthetics of the Toyota Tundra with a newly designed SUV body. Its traditional grille and front bumper gave it a distinct look, setting it apart from the Tundra's more unconventional appearance. Inside, the Sequoia shared many design elements with the Tundra, featuring an industrial theme with luxurious touches of leather, wood, and metallic finishes, especially in the upscale Capstone trim. The interior was dominated by a large 14-inch infotainment system, and while it exuded luxury, some materials reminded occupants of its pickup truck origins. The Sequoia lineup included various trims, with prices starting at $59,895 for the base SR5 and reaching $79,895 for the Capstone with 4WD. Off-road enthusiasts could opt for the TRD Pro or add a TRD Off-Road Package to the SR5 and Limited trims for enhanced capability. The Capstone test vehicle, equipped with 4WD and additional features, had an MSRP of $81,365.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 was a testament to Volvo's reputation for style and design, maintaining a graceful aging process. The XC60 Recharge model featured a sleek exterior with 20-inch wheels and a Dark theme, complemented by a Thunder Grey paint job. Inside, the XC60 embraced Scandinavian minimalism, offering a luxurious cabin with black leather, wood trim, metal accents, and ambient lighting. The Ultimate package added opulence with features like a crystal gear selector knob. While the interior required some acclimation, it eventually became intuitive. The XC60 Recharge Ultimate's design and feel were spot-on, providing a comfortable and stylish environment for occupants.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia was powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, a 36-kilowatt electric motor/generator, and a 1.87 kilowatt-hour nickel-metal hydride battery pack. This hybrid powertrain delivered 437 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 583 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. The Sequoia's towing capacity increased to 9,520 pounds, and it could carry a payload of 1,730 pounds. Fuel efficiency improved, with EPA ratings of 20 mpg for 4WD and 22 mpg for RWD. The Sequoia offered various driving modes, including Eco, Comfort, Normal, Sport, and Sport+, with a Custom mode for personalized settings. The adaptive rear air suspension adjusted ride and handling traits, but the ride quality could be busy and jittery in certain modes. The steering was slow, and the regenerative braking system felt unresponsive at times.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge combined a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing a total of 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. It offered an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. The XC60 Recharge featured several driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, with options for battery usage. The XC60 was exceptionally quick, reaching 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. The drivetrain refresh in mid-2022 made it the most powerful in Volvo's history. The XC60 Recharge excelled in Pure mode, achieving 38.3 miles of electric driving, and averaged 54.6 mpg on a 65-mile evaluation route. The Power mode enhanced responsiveness, while the one-pedal driving function maximized battery regeneration. The XC60 Recharge offered a blend of performance and efficiency, with Charge mode allowing battery recharging during driving.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia excelled on open roads, offering a comfortable cabin with soft leather upholstery, a JBL premium sound system, and a triple-zone climate control system. The wide, padded upper door panel shelf provided a convenient resting place for long trips. Power-deploying running boards aided entry and exit, while the panoramic sunroof reduced second-row headroom. The second-row captain's chairs lacked sliding functionality, limiting third-row space. The third-row seat, mounted above the battery pack, offered limited comfort and legroom. Cargo space was compromised, with only 11.5 cubic feet behind the third row, expandable to 22.3 cubic feet. The adjustable cargo shelf lacked a lip, and the third-row seats folded to provide 49 cubic feet of space. The Sequoia's maximum cargo capacity was 86.9 cubic feet, significantly less than its predecessor and rivals.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, a compact crossover SUV, was best suited for four passengers, though it could accommodate five. The front seats offered outstanding comfort with Nappa leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were comfortable but had limited legroom. The panoramic sunroof added a sense of spaciousness. Storage options included practical spots in the center console and wide door panel bins. The XC60 Recharge featured a power liftgate, revealing 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The cargo area included a netted space for the charging cord and buttons to lower the suspension for easier loading. A ski pass-through panel allowed for carrying skis while accommodating four passengers.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia featured a new Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system, with an 8-inch touchscreen on the base SR5 trim and a 14-inch touchscreen on higher trims. The system was intuitive, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services allowed for user accounts and an Intelligent Assistant for directions. The system supported simultaneous Bluetooth pairing for two devices, though there were occasional glitches. The Capstone trim included a 10-inch head-up display and a surround-view camera system. The parking sensors and automatic rear braking system effectively prevented collisions.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 came with a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a Google Built-in infotainment system. The system offered four years of complimentary access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, supporting both Android and Apple CarPlay. The 9-inch touchscreen had excellent graphics and an intuitive interface. The voice-recognition system impressed, accurately responding to commands and offering streaming music options. The optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system provided exceptional audio quality. The XC60's technology suite included climate control functions accessible by voice.

The 2023 Toyota Sequoia came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 (TSS 2.5), which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam headlights, and road sign recognition. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems enhanced highway driving. While crash tests were not available, the Tundra's high ratings suggested a positive outlook for the Sequoia.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, known for its safety innovations, featured Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. Pilot Assist excelled on freeways, providing smooth and accurate performance. Oncoming Lane Mitigation helped avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. The XC60 B5 and B6 mild-hybrids received top safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, with the latter awarding a Top Safety Pick+ rating. The XC60 Recharge's safety features and ratings underscored Volvo's commitment to safety.